Got an interesting email in my inbox this morning from Netflix explaining their decision to split the company’s services into two, namely Qwikster for DVDs-by-mail and Netflix for streaming. Do what? That’s right. The solution to the problem of a 60% price increase is to split the company into two distinct brands: one with movies you want to watch, and the other filled with schlock and limited streaming to devices capabilities. Is this the end of Netflix as we know it? Probably, but it isn’t the end of Netflix. I don’t care what people say, Redbox is not a legitimate competitor. Even with the paltry selection Netflix offers on its streaming service, Redbox usually only carries the latest movies which, in and of themselves, aren’t very good at all. Plus returning that darn disc can be a hassle and one that I’d rather forego. But on to Netflix streaming: what is the problem there? Netflix streaming is limited to only the choicest in schlock with a few good films and tv-series thrown in for good measure. I would never pay for the Netflix streaming service on its own, even though I was primarily using it for my entertainment and would occasionally watch the single DVD that came through the mail. My guess is that renting out the DVDs is probably pretty profitable still, especially if you can charge more for it…seeing as how the DVDs I receive by mail tend to collect dust rather than get viewed immediately. I guess if I were ultra-efficient and a bit of a lard arse I could sit around watching the latest DVD that came in the mail and rush to send it back to receive another but I’m like most normal people and cannot seem to get a system down for doing such a thing. But I digress. This whole Netflix ordeal is shambolic alcoholic. Who is organizing this mess? Who thought it is was a good idea to take a recognizable brandname and mutilate it by splitting it into two? It always baffles me when a company does stuff like this to destroy their name.

It would be like Apple separating Apple and Mac from each other, what in the hell purpose would that serve other than to alienate your customers from one another? The two internet services will not communicate between each other and ratings for movies have to be done twice. Since streaming is the future and DVDs are not, what point is there in investing in building a brand around a soon to be obsolete service? Who knows, who cares. If HuluPlus didn’t continuously have ‘server issues’ it would be a great alternative. Given Hulu’s unitary format, that alone makes it a better choice in many ways. Note to Netflix: stop explaining yourself continuously. Nothing makes me question the skills of the man in charge more than constantly explaining yourself and justifying yourself to a public that will be jaded either way. Move forward with your business, continue to provide quality services and you’ll be fine. Keep playing in the sandbox and watch yourself get buried. Also, now Netflix is going to be competing with GameFly and will offer videogame rentals but I think I’ll pass while they figure out what their company is about.